INCREASE IN COSTS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume IV, Issue 222, 31 August 1936, Page 5

INCREASE IN COSTS.

GARAGE SERVICE. Will Probably Be Handed On To Public. MORE WAGES, SHORTER HOURS. The majority of gaiage proprietors at Stratford are endeavouring to make arrangements to meet the reductions of hours for mechanics from 44 to 40 hours per week without employing extra labour.

Gne largo firm ,-has' altered the hours of work from eight hours a day for'five days a weok and four hours on one day to seven and a half hours en five days and- two and a half on one day. In order to have men in attendance during the whole time the garage is open, two mechanics at, a time will be relieved on different days during the week. Smaller gauges will have more difficulty in arranging a system cf this sort and more overtime pay will be necessary' in most cases. Feeling the Way. "We are only feeling our way and the arrangements we finally come tq will depend largely on what; is done by the tradespeople of the town," etated one proprietor to a Post representative this morning. All proprietors interviewed were emphatically of opinion that it would 1 be necessary for the extra costs due lo the shortening of hours and increased wages to be passed on to l the public. While they were not aiming to increase their profits, it was stated, they were unable to bear the burden of increased costs and the cost of service to motorists would have to be increased proportionately.

Price of Petrol Unchanged.

As far as the private customer is concerned there will be no alteration in the price of petrol at Stratford,' tut the special rates for commercial users will cease to-morrow, due ~oj the increased overhead costs. Petrol service attendants' hours are reduced by the Act from 55 hours per week lo 44. . '.:■■..